Apparatus and method for mounting a device for displaying and preserving flower arrangements

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns an apparatus for mounting a device ( 10 ) for displaying individual flower arrangements. The device includes a base element ( 2 ) which may or may not be equipped with a raised ridge ( 4 ) over its entire circumference, and a sheet ( 5 ) which may or may not be watertight placed under base element ( 2 ) and which is gathered around the center top of the device ( 10 ) and held by an fastener ( 9 ) such as a ribbon ( 7 ) for keeping the sheet ( 5 ) sealed around the flower arrangement. The apparatus includes several movable pivoting draping fingers ( 15 ) associated with a tightening cord ( 16 ) for guiding the sheet ( 5 ) around the base element ( 2 ), a support base plate ( 20 ) that moves along a vertical axis to support device 10, a guide means ( 21 ) of a predetermined shape connected to base plate ( 20 ) for guiding all the draping fingers ( 15 ), and an actuating means ( 30 ) for moving the base plate ( 20 ) and the guide means ( 21 ) along the vertical axis and for pivoting all the draping fingers ( 15 ) that are guided by guide means ( 21 ) so that the cord ( 16 ) is bound around draped sheet ( 5 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage application under 35 U.S.C. 371, ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/EP03/12408 with aninternational filing date of Nov. 4, 2003, which claims priority toLuxemburg Application No. 90983, filed on Nov. 5, 2002, and both ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention involves an apparatus and a method for mounting adevice for the presentation and preservation of bouquets of flowers aswell as a device for the packaging and preservation of bouquets offlowers.

Patent EP 0828 446 describes a device for the presentation of bouquetscomprising a collapsible support, several slats, a rolled-up connectionaround the slats, a watertight sheet, a primary fastener for the device,and a secondary fastener comprising of a ribbon.

Patent EP 0881 167 reveals a receptacle for bouquets of flowerscomprising a circular base element from which multiple elongatedelements extend.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the invention is the manufacture of a device for thequick presentation of a bouquet of flowers in the vertical position andpreservation of this bouquet of flowers in the vertical position and thepreservation of this bouquet by introducing water through an orificelocated in the upper part of the device.

Another goal of the invention is to create an apparatus for forming astable device for presenting all kinds of bouquets.

The present invention involves the quick mounting of a device that isdelivered flat and which adapts to any bouquet of cut flowers as asupport for storage or sale, by these different shapes with or at sale,by these different shapes with or without bottom, round, square,triangular or other.

This device and its bouquet once they are in shape, folded in allwatertight sheets commonly used in the horticultural or florist milieu,allows a reserve of water to be contained. The weight of the water atits base ensures a perfect stability with a predetermined quantity ofwater for transport.

The principle of the apparatus according to the invention allows themanufacture of a device that transports a bouquet folded with the waterreserve contained in its packaging from the place of sale to thedestination point, while ensuring the preservation of the bouquet untilreaching the final customer, and all along the way without wilting.

According to the invention, the apparatus is designed for mounting adevice for the presentation of individual bouquets of flowers, wherethis device comprises a base element which may or may not have with araised ridge all around its circumference. The device also includes asheet, which may or may not be watertight, placed under the base elementthat converges towards the center top of the device and is held in placeby a fastener, such as a ribbon, for holding the watertight sheet aroundthe bouquet. The device comprises several movable draping fingersassociated with a tightening cord for guiding the sheet around the baseelement. A support base is movable along a vertical axis for supportingthe device and a guide means of predetermined shape is connected to thesupport base in order to guide all the draping fingers. An activatingmeans shifts the support base and the guide means along the verticalaxis and simultaneously activates all the draping fingers guided by theguide means such that the tightening cord is tightened around the drapedsheet.

The method of manufacturing a device for the presentation of individualbouquets of flowers in the invention comprises the steps of:

positioning the sheet and the base element on the support base forsupporting the device;

moving the support base towards the bottom along a vertical axis and aguide means of predetermined shape connected to the support base inorder to prime the fold in the sheet;

guiding multiple movable pivoting draping fingers associated with atightening cord for draping the sheet around the base element so as tofurther tighten the tightening cord around the draped sheet; and

holding the sheet around the bouquet with an fastener, such as a ribbon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood when referring to thefollowing figures:

FIG. 1 shows the completed device with a bouquet displayed by anapparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows the mounting apparatus according to a preferred embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 3 shows the embodiment of FIG. 2 where a fold in a sheet is primed;

FIG. 4 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 where draping of the sheet iscompleted;

FIG. 5 shows a partial view from below of embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 in the positionof FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the invention in an intermediateposition;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the invention in the position of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is an assembly view of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 10 to 15 show the successive stages of the method of assemblingthe invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the system for filling the deviceaccording to the invention;

FIGS. 17 to 19 show the draping device of the invention usedmechanically on an automated carousel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a device (10) for the presentation and preservation ofindividual bouquets of flowers, which holds the flower(s) at the levelof a central axis of the device (10). The device (10) includes a baseelement (2) of any shape, of dimensions, which may or may not beadjustable so that the base element (2) adapts to the size of thebouquets. The base element (2) may or may not have a raised ridge (4)all around the circumference which serves to hold the bouquet in thevertical position, where this bouquet is connected by a primary fastener(9), such as a ribbon (7). The device (10) also includes a sheet (5),which may or may not be watertight, which surrounds the base element (2)and converges towards the center top of device (10).

The fastener (9) holds the sheet (5) around the bouquet, all of which isarranged to allow the introduction of water through an orifice (6)located in the upper part of the device (10). As shown in FIG. 1, baseelement (2) is a conical receptacle with an orifice (6) located in theupper part. However, the shape of the base element (2) can be circular,square, rectangular, triangular, polygonal, trapezoidal, cruciform, ortripodal with each foot base connected by an arc-shaped element to theadjacent bases. Also, the base element (2) can have one or more wavesand one or more hollows for holding the ends of the flower stems inplace.

The invention according to the principle of folding the standard bouquetcomprises a base element (2) and a sheet (5), which may or may not bewatertight when lifted, facilitates the shaping of the sheet (5). In analternate embodiment of the invention, the device (10) for thepresentation of bouquets can also be mounted without a base element (2),but with a watertight sheet (5) alone.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2 through 4, the apparatus for mounting thedevice (10) for the presentation of individual bouquets of flowerscomprises several movable pivoting draping fingers (15) associated witha tightening cord (16) for guiding the sheet (5) around the base element(2). The number of draping fingers (15) can vary in order to form adevice (10) of predefined shape (cone, pyramid, etc.). The tighteningcord (16) can be made of metal, plastic, or any other flexible material.

The apparatus includes a support base (20) for supporting the device(10), which is movable along a vertical axis. A guide means (21) ofpredetermined shape, for example conical, is connected to the supportbase (2) in order to guide all the draping fingers (15) and give apredefined shape to the device (10).

An activating means, for example a manual lever (30), shifts the supportbase (20) and guide means (21) along the vertical axis, which causes allthe draping fingers (15) to pivot. When pivoting, the draping fingers(15) are guided by the guide means (21) in such a way as to tighten thetightening cord (16) around sheet (5).

The apparatus also includes a table (25) having an orifice (26) thatallows the passage of the sheet (5) and the base element (2) so as toprime the fold through the orifice (26) of table (25).

The manual lever (30) pivotally connects to a movable axial connectionelement (34) that moves along the vertical axis to pivot the drapingfingers (15) using pivots (17). The draping fingers (15) are alsopivotally connected to a fixed support element (36). In operation, themovable axial element (34) rises and descends by activating lever (30)and fingers (15), which pivot around the fixed support element (36).According to FIGS. 3 and 4, by activating the lever (30), the supportbase (20) descends to continue draping (21) and the conical guide means(21) descends so that it guides the pivoting of draping fingers (15) andtightens the cord (16) around the sheet (5).

As shown in FIG. 5, the ends of tightening cord (16) are free. The cord(16) slides into openings (1 8) formed in each of the fingers (15) fortightening of the device (10). In the preferred embodiment, openings(18) are formed horizontally in the ends of the fingers (15) with adiameter slightly larger than the diameter of the cord (16) so that thecord (16) slides freely. The ends of the fingers (15) are arranged sothat cord (16) forms a circle. The radius of this circle decreases bypivoting the fingers (15) due to activation of the lever (30), thereby,allowing the cord (16) to slide within the openings (18) of the fingers(15).

The lever (30) comprises a stoppage system (33) that keeps the lever(30) in the horizontal position when draping is completed and allowsattachment of the sheet (5) around the bouquet with the fastener 9.After attachment is complete, the apparatus frees the device (10), whichrises due to the action of the manual lever (30).

The guide means (21) is generally conical in shape so that the drapingfingers (15) are guided by the guide means (21) while the support base(20) and the guide means (21) are simultaneously displaced, thereby,allowing a generally conical conjugated device (10) to be formed.Following the same principle, bases (2) of different shapes such as,square, triangular, rectangular, etc. can be considered to obtain apyramidal device.

The apparatus of the invention can also comprise a source of water incombination with a pressure regulator and a solenoid valve controlled byan integral timer to fill the device with a predefined volume of water,as shown in FIGS. 9 and 16. As the device (10) is filled with water bythe combination of a pressure regulator and a solenoid valve controlledby an internal timer, the operator tentatively defines a volume of waterdefined by:$\frac{Pressure}{{Opening}\quad{time}} = {{constant}\quad{volume}\quad{of}\quad{water}}$

The filling system can be combined with a preserving product mixer forbouquets of flowers.

Attaching the draped sheet (5) with the fastener (9) can be doneconcurrently with filling the device (10) with water, either manually orby any automatic system known on the market or developed tospecification.

Once filling and attachment is completed, the apparatus frees thebouquet and its water reserve either manually by lifting the lever (30)or mechanically, such as by a button. All operations can be steered byan automaton. In a preferred embodiment, the bouquet with or withoutsupport (2) will be brought to the station automatically.

The device in the present invention has two functions: 1) Draping of asheet (5), which may or may not be watertight, around just one bouquet,which may or may not be equipped with a support (2), the completeddevice commonly called a water reserve bouquet; and 2) Adjustment andfilling the device with a predefined volume of water.

According to the method of the invention, draping is combined withmultiple fingers (15) following the descent, and the cord tighteningsheet (5) with the system of preventing the sheet from being stuck,where these two combinations ensure a perfect “draping”.

The method comprises the steps of: positioning the sheet (5) and thebase element (2) on the support base (20) for supporting the device;priming the fold in the sheet (5) for passing the sheet (5) and the baseelement (2) through the orifice (26) in the support table (25); movingthe support base (20) downwards along a vertical axis and the guidemeans (21) connected to the support base (20) in order to continuefolding sheet (5); and guiding all the pivoting movable draping fingers(15) associated with tightening cord (16) in order to drape sheet (5)around base element (2) so as to tighten tightening cord (16) arounddraped sheet (5), and holding sheet (5) around the bouquet by fastener(9) comprising of a ribbon (7).

By activating the lever (30), the lowering of support base (20) andguide means (21) is simultaneous with the pivoting of draping fingers(15), which are guided by guide means (21) to ensure a perfect shape ofdevice (10).

Successive stages of the assembly method of the invention areillustrated in FIGS. 10 through 15.

FIG. 10 illustrates positioning of a sheet (5) of paper on table (25) ofthe apparatus.

FIG. 11 illustrates priming of the folding by orifice (26) in the tableby positioning the bouquet with or without base element (2) and bydriving everything through the orifice (26).

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the activating of the lever (30) and drapingthe base element (2) with the sheet (5) and simultaneous driving andmounting the lever (30) (mechanical or manual).

FIG. 14 illustrates filling the device (10) with water through upperorifice (6) of the device (10) concurrently with attaching the drapedsheet (5) and blocking the system once draping has been completed.

FIG. 15 shows withdrawal of the device (10) once filling and attachmentis completed. The apparatus frees the bouquet and its water reservemanually by lifting the lever or mechanically with a button.

FIGS. 17-19 show the draping device in the invention used mechanicallyon an automated carousel. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 17-19, aseries of draping devices of the invention (for example a series ofthree devices) can be arranged on a carousel that turns so as toautomate the manufacturing process of the device for presentation ofindividual bouquets of flowers. It goes without saying that the drapingdevice in the invention can therefore be used either manually, ormechanically on a carousel of this type.

1-10. (canceled)
 11. Apparatus for assembling a device for thepresentation of individual bouquets of flowers, comprising: a baseelement; a sheet placed under the base element and converging towardsthe center top of the device and held by an fastener for holding thesheet around the bouquet; several movable pivoting draping fingersassociated with a tightening cord for guiding the sheet around the baseelement; a movable support base that follows a vertical axis in order tosupport the device; a means for guiding of predetermined shape connectedto the support base for guiding all the draping fingers, and a means foractivating that shifts the support base and the guide means along thevertical axis and makes the draping fingers pivot as they are guided bythe guide means so that they tighten a tightening cord around the drapedsheet.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the device furthercomprises: a table equipped with an orifice for passage of the sheet andthe base element and priming the fold through the orifice in the table.13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: a source of water incombination with a pressure regulator and a solenoid valve controlled byan interval timer in order to fill the device with a predefined volumeof water.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a mixer forpreserving product.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the guidemeans is of a generally conical shape such that the draping fingersguided by the guide means during the simultaneous shifting of thesupport base and the guide means allow shaping of the generally conicaldevice.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for activatingcomprises a manual activation lever connected to the support base inorder to the support base along the vertical axis.
 17. A method ofmanufacturing a device for the presentation of individual bouquets offlowers, the device having a base element, and a sheet placed under thebase element, which converges towards the center top of the device andheld by a fastener for holding the sheet around the bouquet, the methodcomprising the steps of: positioning the sheet and the base element ontoa support base to support the device; moving the support base downwardlyalong a vertical axis and a guide means of predetermined shape connectedto the support base in order to proceed with folding the sheet; guidingmultiple movable pivoting draping fingers associated with a tighteningcord for draping the sheet around the base element so as to tighten thetightening cord around the draped sheet; and holding the sheet aroundthe bouquet by the fastener.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein thefold in the sheet is primed by passing the sheet and the base elementthrough an orifice in a support table.
 19. The method of claim 17,wherein the lowering of the support base and of the guide means issimultaneous with the pivoting of the draping fingers by shifting ameans for activating connected to the support base.
 20. The method ofclaim 17, wherein attaching of the draped sheet is done in concurrentoperation time as the device is being filled with water.
 21. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein the base element includes a raised ridgeall around its circumference.
 22. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein thesheet is watertight.
 23. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the fastenercomprises a ribbon.
 24. The method of claim 17, wherein the base elementincludes a raised ridge all around its circumference.
 25. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the sheet is watertight.
 26. The method of claim 17,wherein the fastener comprises a ribbon.